Social activist Swami Agnivesh was attacked on Tuesday at Pakur by a group of people allegedly belonging to the BJYM, the youth wing of the BJP. Agnivesh suffered multiple injuries. Probe has begun.
As per reports, Agnivesh was at Pakur to attend a programme with Paharia tribes scheduled at littipara later on the day. As soon as he came out of Hotel Mushkan, where he was stationed, a group of 25-30 youths showing black flags attacked him hurling abuses.
He was hit with hands, sticks and even stones injuring the winner of the Right livelihood Award 2004, popularly known as alternative Nobel Peace Prize, on the street in full public view.
Some of Agnivesh’s supporters and members of the primitive tribes, who came there to welcome him, tried their best to save him from the clutches of the mob and later took him for medical treatment at a hospital.later talking to the media, Agnivesh narrated his ordeal.
“They were protesting against me and I invited them inside for talks but they declined.
As soon as I came out they fatally attacked me, tore my clothes and abused me. They even tried to lynch me by boulder but my associates rescued me. The organisers had informed the administration about my visit well in advance despite that it all happened. I demand indentifying those involved into the act and take action against them,” said the social reformer.
Responding quickly, Chief Minister Raghubar Das ordered a probe into the incident and formed a team of the Commissioner and the DIG of Santhal Pargana to probe the case. Acting on this, the police have apprehended 20-odd persons. When contacted, Pakur SP Shailendra Prasad Barnwal denied having detailed information about Swami Agnivesh’s programme.
“We had information that he would be attending a programme at littipara. As per his version, the attackers were from Vidhyarthi Parisad. As present we have taken him for medical as he has suffered leg injuries and after that investigation would be done. We have video footages with us which would help the police to identify those involved,” the SP told The Pioneer.
The attack has attracted sharp political reactions. PCC president Ajoy Kumar condemning the incident blamed the ‘fascist’ ideology of the BJP for that. “It is fascist culture of the BJP which does not believe in democratic principles and want to suppress all dissenting voices raised against them. Such indents are happening all over,” he said.
Agnivesh has been on the radars of the right wing organisations for his recent comments against Bajrang Dal and reported defence of beef consumption. On its part, the State BJP has distanced itself from the incident. Party spokesperson Pratull Sahadeo said the men were not workers of the BJP and condemned the assault.